france anyone

[berty bassett]

not a new thread , just a sort of re-post , wondered if anyone fancied france top to bottom . Nothing set in stone ,but want to do cherbourg to sete - or other way round , taking camping gear , rough camping if i want or campsite or b&b whatever is best on the day . would have liked to just clip pyrenees just to say ive done it . like the idea of getting bus or train down there then doesn't matter how long it takes to get back - but also like the idea of cycling to hopefully better weather then organising somehow to get back . i'm reasonably fit 46 bloke done lejog last year and got the bug . would be thinking of getting on for 100m aday - somedays more somedays less ( beauty of having a tent ) will say more if anyone replies - thanks for reading

 

[Digger]

Hi Bertie, trip sounds interesting to me, would be interested to find out more when you have the time, regards Neil

 

[berty bassett]

Hi Bertie, trip sounds interesting to me, would be interested to find out more when you have the time, regards Neil

hi digger . Don't know where to start really . the idea is very much in the planning stage at the mo but i would like to think it will happen in very early sept . i don't know whether to start at cherbourg ( looks like the quietest port ) then cycle down left hand side ,almost to the bottom of france then cut right (as you look at the map ) there looks like a valley through the bottom of the pyrenees where it would be possible to have a play up 1 of the mountains then back to the easier road ( though still bumpy ) then on to sete , where i cadged a lift to when i was 22 , then finish point would be montpelier just as it has trains or buses . only trouble is if going that way it may mean getting there on a dead line as transport back would have to be booked i am guessing . but it should mean biking down to better weather. or it is possible to do it the other way round meaning once your there your just got to get back - does mean mountains first so steep learning curve . route is very roughly 700 miles maybe less maybe more but not a lot . it hopefully will not go through any busy towns and definately no cities . would like to be unaided and carrying all your own stuff so it will be harder than normal but not a fast pace just long steady days stopping when had enough . not booking any b&bs or campsites or even hotels as that would tie you down again but if you fancied a night b&b or posh camping then it could be booked on the day if theres one about
me - i am 46 , reasonably fit ,self employed so dates can be jiggled live in the northampton area - in a small town . . just think that travelling in pairs may be safer - unless of course you are an axe murderer who preys on cyclists in remote places - in which case you will be surprised how fast i can peddle . looked at organised trips but they seem expensive and this hopefully is a cost cutting way - wont say any more now incase this has put you off - i will wait and see if you get back

 

[bigjim]

100m a day fully loaded, every day, seems a lot to me. Anyone else think the same?

 

[Brandane]

100m a day fully loaded, every day, seems a lot to me. Anyone else think the same?

That's what I thought when I read the OP.. Thought it was just me though; approaching 50 and not super-fit . I am planning on doing Toulouse to Cherbourg in about 3 weeks time (subject to short notice cancellation due to niggling hip injury ). This is also fully loaded with tent etc., and I was reckoning 50 miles per day would be enough. It is quite a hilly country even outside the Alps and Pyrenees, and far too nice to rush as well!

 

[johnnyh]

last year I went top to bottom, and must say France is mainly built uphill!

 

[oldfatfool]

+1 planning on 50miles a day fully loaded, admittedly mainly traveling in the Alps and Pyrenees (see sig) but it seems enough to me.

 

[berty bassett]

i take on board what the general opinion seems to be that 100 m is alot with full load on . if it is too much then it can be cut down as i don't want to kill myself . i just had a mini go at touring fully loaded and managed a 95 then 115 next day and still went for a ride the day after on the usual bike so think i would be up for the task if i put more training in as well . i do like pushing myself when unloaded and i think it paid off as when loaded and bringing the pace right down i did feel as though i could keep up a steady slog all day - and anyway - a mountain is only up half the way

 

[oldfatfool]

i take on board what the general opinion seems to be that 100 m is alot with full load on . if it is too much then it can be cut down as i don't want to kill myself . i just had a mini go at touring fully loaded and managed a 95 then 115 next day and still went for a ride the day after on the usual bike so think i would be up for the task if i put more training in as well . i do like pushing myself when unloaded and i think it paid off as when loaded and bringing the pace right down i did feel as though i could keep up a steady slog all day - and anyway - a mountain is only up half the way

If it is your bag to ride for 8 hours a day then why not, but surely half the reason to ride in France is to soak up the scenery and culture, enjoy a coffee, a 2 hour lunch with plonk etc rather than head down pedaling A to B.

 

[doog]

If it is your bag to ride for 8 hours a day then why not, but surely half the reason to ride in France is to soak up the scenery and culture, enjoy a coffee, a 2 hour lunch with plonk etc rather than head down pedaling A to B.

I recall a thread either on here or CTC headed ....'do you ride to tour or tour to ride' . If its the latter for the OP then 30-45 miles a day in the mountains and 60-80 elsewhere would be comfortable....

80-100 would be a good work out daily but take some nurofen plus for the few niggles arising in the knees etc and some sudocreme to apply downstairs at night .

A 2 hour lunch with plonk would kill my day ..and wallet

 

[Brains]

Berty - for your route home check out European Bike Express. Very good service

 

[bigjim]

I'd like to ride the length of France but not at that pace. Can't think of anything worse than riding with that pressure. I often do 90 to 100 mile rides [unloaded] but on tour I like to chill. I loved reading Edward Enfields book [Downhill all the way] on this route. My kind of touring. But we all have our own way of doing things.
Now if anybody is thinking of a gentler tour.........

 

[jags]

100 miles a day is the op having a laugh

 

[berty bassett]

I'd like to ride the length of France but not at that pace. Can't think of anything worse than riding with that pressure. I often do 90 to 100 mile rides [unloaded] but on tour I like to chill. I loved reading Edward Enfields book [Downhill all the way] on this route. My kind of touring. But we all have our own way of doing things.
Now if anybody is thinking of a gentler tour.........

how much gentler ?

 

[berty bassett]

100 miles a day is the op having a laugh

thank you for your kind reply . what i was asking was whether if anyone fancied the trip, as i would like the company and i know i can do the distance. If i want a holiday i will go with the family - i treat this as a challenge and holiday comes later . i take it that you are not interested